Nigerian international, Benjamin Fredrick has been ruled out of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after sustaining a knee injury during training last Friday.
His Belgian club FC Dender, confirmed that the talented defender will be sidelined for approximately twelve weeks, a development that has shocked and disrupted Nigeria’s plans ahead of the tournament.
FC Dender’s medical team revealed that the 19-year-old picked up the injury during a routine session, forcing him to miss the club’s second league win of the season against Royal Antwerp.
The diagnosis means Fredrick will not recover in time to join the Super Eagles for AFCON in March.
Major Setback for Nigeria’ Super Eagles Defense
The news has deeply affected Nigerian supporters, many of whom were anticipating Fredrick’s blossoming partnership with Calvin Bassey at the heart of the defence in the absence of injured and recovering Ola Aina.
Since breaking into the national team during the Unity Cup in London last May, where he featured against Jamaica, Fredrick has grown into an undisputed starter.
Often deployed as a centre-back, and at times as a right-back in place of captain William Troost-Ekong, Fredrick has impressed with his intelligence, versatility, and calm presence on the ball.
Benjamin Fredrick: Unique Defender With Rare Qualities
Fredrick’s absence will be felt not only because of his positional flexibility but also his standout qualities as a ball-playing defender.
His ability to progress the ball, initiate attacks, and stay composed under pressure has set him apart as one of Nigeria’s most promising talents.
One of his most memorable performances came in the World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon, where:
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His overlapping runs troubled the Gabonese defense,
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He read Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s movements expertly,
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And he played a pivotal role in the sequence leading to Victor Osimhen’s goal.
These attributes made him a crucial component of Eric Chelle’s tactical setup.
Chelle Faces Tough Decision Ahead of AFCON
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle must now rethink his defensive structure, with the challenge of finding a replacement who possesses Fredrick’s combination of tactical awareness, composure, aerial strength, and ball-carrying ability.
With AFCON fast approaching, Nigeria’s preparations have taken a significant hit, as Fredrick’s absence is expected to leave a void that will be difficult to fill.
The Super Eagles camp is expected to release an updated provisional squad list in the coming days as Chelle considers his options.
